Some days, like today for instance, I really start to wonder if there's anyone in Virginia who doesn't support Mark Warner for Senate. The following is from soon-to-be Sen. Warner's campaign:
Six of Virginia's leading law enforcement professionals endorsed former Governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Mark R. Warner today, citing his consistent efforts to support public safety during challenging fiscal times, his proven record in implementing solutions that improved public safety and homeland security, and his strong leadership during natural disasters and other crises.The bipartisan endorsements, announced at a news conference at the State Capitol in Richmond, were provided by:
G求 Col. Gerald Massengill , a former Superintendent of Virginia State Police who retired in 2003 after 37 years of service. Massengill, a self-described Republican, emerged from retirement in 2005 to serve as interim director of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and also served as chairman of the Virginia Tech Review Panel in 2007;
G求 Sheriff Paul Lanteigne of Virginia Beach, a Republican who is in his 15th year with the Sheriff's Department following a 19-year career with the City of Virginia Beach Police Department;G求 Sheriff Robert McCabe of Norfolk, who has served as sheriff for 15 years following a 12-year career with the City of Norfolk Police Department;
G求 Chief Mark Marshall of Smithfield, who has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including 16 years of service to the Town of Smithfield. Marshall currently serves as Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police;
G求 Sheriff Gabe Morgan of Newport News, a Republican-turned-Independent with almost 35 years of public safety experience, including service as the Special Agent in Charge of Investigations for the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles;
G求 And Chief Garth Wheeler, the chief of police at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond. Wheeler, a Republican, has 31 years of law enforcement experience, and he also served a record four terms as president of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police (1990-98).
As Col. Massengill says, "During natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, and especially during that frightening period when Virginians were being terrorized by the 'D.C. snipers,' I saw Governor Warner's steady and effective leadership, and I respected the way he always worked to put Virginia first." Isn't that the kind of leadership we all want in the US Senate? I know I do!
This is moot, because Mrs. Gilmore isn't allowed to vote.
HARRISONBURG - Rockingham County Sheriff Donald Farley, an independent, stood in front of a crowd May 6 at the Rockingham County Courthouse to introduce Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner.Now, Farley's support for the former governor is going statewide. The sheriff is among several political, business and civic leaders appearing in Warner's first television campaign commercial, which was to begin airing Monday night.
In introducing Warner in Harrisonburg, Farley called the Democrat the best governor in Virginia during his adult life.
Farley says he based his judgment largely on how Warner handled a $6 billion state budget shortfall when he took office in 2002.
In the 60-second television ad, Farley says, "Firefighters, teachers, police officers, we were on the chopping block."
Farley's remarks being used in the commercial were taken from an interview with Warner's campaign after the candidate's visit to Harrisonburg.
"We like Don Farley," said Warner spokesman Kevin Hall, "because he is a well-respected law enforcement professional."
Change Of Heart
But Farley did not always support Warner.
In 2001, Farley appeared in a television ad for Mark Earley, a Republican who vied with Warner for the governor's office in that year's election.
Farley, however, said that Warner's handling of the budget crisis was key in his supporting the former governor now.
"Mark Warner definitely won me over in how he conducted himself," Farley said during an interview Monday...